Method and device for holding or clamping an article

ABSTRACT

A method and device for releasably holding or clamping an article or articles. The holding device comprises a pair of opposed jaws movable into an article holding position in engagement with opposite sides of the article or articles. The jaws are provided with latching teeth for releasably latching the jaws after they have been moved to the article holding position. The latching teeth are normally held in an unlatched position to permit movement of the jaws to the article holding position. The holding device further has a locking member for initially moving the latching teeth into a latched position following movement of the jaws to the article holding position, and then moving one of the jaw members relative to the other to apply a clamping pressure to the article or articles.

United States Patent [191 Taylor 1 Oct. 8, 1974 METHOD AND DEVICE FOR HOLDING OR CLAMPING AN ARTICLE [76] Inventor: Clarence R. Taylor, 28 Woodside Dr., Rochester, NY. 14526 [22] Filed: Jan. 9, 1974 [21] App]. No.: 432,084

[52] US. Cl. 81/328, 81/3835 [51] Int. Cl B25b 7/14, B25b 7/12 [58] Field of Search 81/367, 368, 383.5, 315, 81/317, 324, 328; 769/96; 29/559 [56] References Cited UNITED'STATES PATENTS 512,086 l/1894 Ashcraft 81/32 X 1,426,553 8/1922 C-ruickshank 81/328 X 2,564,585 8/1951 Shaw ..81/383.5 X 2,635,496 4/1953 Marasco 81/328 Primary Examiner-James L. Jones, Jr.

[5 7] ABSTRACT A method and device for releasably holding or clamping an article or articles. The holding device comprises a pair of opposed jaws movable into an article holding position in engagement with opposite sides of the article or articles. The jaws-are provided with latching teeth for releasably latching the jaws after they have been moved to the article holding position. The latching teeth are normally held in an unlatched position to permit movement of the jaws to the article holding position. The holding device further has a locking memher for initially moving the latching teeth into a latched position following movement of the jaws to the article holding position, and then moving one of the jaw members relative to the other to apply a clamping pressure to the article or articles.

18 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENTED 8 974 SMUIBFZ FIG 8 FIG.

PAIENI UBI 81974 slm 20F 2 FIG-5 FIG-4 FIG. IO

FIG. 9

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR HOLDING OR CLAMPING AN ARTICLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to work handling tools, and more specifically to an improved method and device for holding or clamping an article.

2. Description of the Prior Art A holding or clamping device, commonly referred to in the industry as a vice-grip is well known in the art. In such a device, the jaws are biased apart and a screw member is provided at one end of the device for adjust ably moving the jaws into an article holding position in which the jaws are in engagement with opposite sides of the article. A lock member is then moved to an over center locked position for applying a predetermined clamping pressure to the article and releasably holding the jaws in the clamped position. One of the disadvantages of the prior art device is that the operator is required to use both hands in adjusting the jaws of the device to the width of the article or articles. This can present a considerable problem in those applications in which the operator has to hold the article or articles with one hand, and hence has only one hand free to perate the device. Another disadvantage is that it is difficult to properly adjust the jaws so that the device can be locked with the desired force the first time it is attempted, therby requiring additional two handed ma nipulation before the jaws are properly adjusted and the device locked.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a method and device is disclosed for releasably holding or clamping an article or articles. The holding device comprises a pair of opposed jaw members which are movable to an article holding position in which the jaws are in engagement with opposite sides of the article or articles. The jaw members are each provided with latching means movable between a normal unlatched position in which the jaws are freely movable relative to one another, and a latched position in which the jaw members cannot be moved apart from one another. The holding device is provided with biasing means for holding the latching means in their normal unlatched position. The holding device is further provided with locking means for moving the latching means to the latched position against the bias of the bi asing means, and further locking the jaws in the latched position. In a further embodiment of the invention, the locking means is provided with means for moving the jaws together while in their article holding position for clamping the article or articles between the jaws.

In a more specific embodiment of the invention, one of the jaw members is pivotal, and the locking means in its unlocked position captures the jaw member to prevent pivotal movement thereof.

In a preferred method for clamping an article or articles by the device of this invention, the jaws are initially moved together relative to one another into an article holding position in which the jaws are in engagement with opposite sides of the article or articles. The jaws are then latched together in the article holding position to prevent outward movement thereof. Following such latching, one of the jaws is urged toward the other jaw for clamping the article or articles between the jaws.

It is accordingly one of the objects and advantages of this invention to provide an improved article holding or clamping device that is capable of being adjusted and placed in a holding or clamping position with one hand.

Another object and advantage of this invention is to provide a method and device for holding or clamping an article or articles.

Another object and advantage of this invention is to provide an improved article holding or clamping device that is of simple design and construction, thoroughly reliable in operation, and economical to manufacture.

The invention and its objects and advantages become more apparent from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments presented below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention presented below, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the article clamping device of this invention illustrated in a clamping position;

FIG. 2 is a right side elevational view of the clamping device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a left side elevational view of the article clamping device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the article clamping device of FIG. 1 shown in its unclamped position with the front plate of the device removed to show the inner workings of the device;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing the clamping device in a clamped position;

FIG. 6 is a segmental view of the upper portion of the device illustrating modifications in the jaws thereof;

FIG. 7 is a segmental view illustrating a modified biasing means adapted when released by the locking lever to move the device to its unclamped position;

FIG. 8 is a segmental view illustrating a cam at one end of a jaw member and its path of movement in camming the jaw to provide a clamping force on the article or articles;

FIG. 9 is a segmental view illustrating a modification of the jaws;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 illustrating still another modification of the jaws;

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the holding device without the clamping feature; and

FIG. 12 is a section view taken substantially along ling 12-12 of FIG. 11.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference to FIGS. 1-5 of the drawings, a preferred embodiment of an article holding or clamping device 14 is disclosed comprising a first elongated jaw member 16 having a pair of spaced apart substantially identical side plates 18, each having latching means at one end thereof comprising an arcuate surface having gear teeth 20 thereon. Interposed between side plates 18 is a jaw plate 22 pivotally mounted on a pin 24 supported by the side plates. The jaw plate 22 has a toothed jaw 26 at one end and a cam surface 28 at the other end. Since jaw plate 22 is a unitary member, it is heat treated so that jaw 26 and cam follower surface 28 are hardened whereas the body of jaw plate 22 is flexible. The clamping device 14 is provided with a second elongated jaw member 30 having spaced apart substantially identical side plates 32 forming a cavity therebetween for slidably receiving support plate 18. The jaw member 30 has a head 34 interposed between and secured to side plates 32 by rivets 36, and head 34 is provided with latching means in the form of a pair of arcuate surfaces having teeth 38 thereon opposed to and in alignment with the aforementioned teeth 20. The arcuate surfaces are segments of a circle having a common center. The head 34 has a pivot pin 40 for pivotally supporting a jaw plate 42 having a toothed jaw 44 opposed to and in alignment with jaw 26. The side plates 32 of jaw member 30 are elongated and provided with a pivot pin 46 at the opposite end which extends through an elongated slot 48 in the opposite end of support plates 18. The side plates 32 have laterally inwardly extending flanges 50 (FIG. 2) along the outer edges thereof and a leaf spring 52 secured to support plates 18 engages flanges 50 for biasing the jaw members 16, 30 apart. The jaw member 30 has an unobstructed portion between head 34 and the end of flanges 50 forming a passageway 54 (FIG. 2) for extensions 56 on support plates 18. The head 34 is provided with a depending lug 58 extending between support plates 18 and adapted to engage a pin 60 spanning the support plates for limiting angular outward movement of the jaw members 16, 30 relative to one another.

In the normal unlatched position of clamping device 14 as illustrated in FIG. 4, latching teeth of support plates 18 and head 34 are spaced apart permitting pivotal movement of jaw members 16, 30 about pivot 46. The teeth 20, 38 are normally held in the unlatched position by a spring 62 having one end extending into the bore 64 of a bracket 66 secured to and interposed between support plates 18. The opposite end of spring 62 bears against a flange 68 on a locking lever 70 interposed between and pivotally mounted on a pin 72 supported by support plates 18. The spring 62 pivots locking lever 70 in a clockwise direction causing upward movement of an arm 74 having a cylindrical portion 76 at one end journaled for pivotal movement within a corresponding recess adjacent one end of locking lever 70, and the opposite end 78 secured to pivot pin 46. To move teeth 20, 38 into meshing engagement for locking the jaw members 16, 30 together, locking lever 70 is manually moved by its handle 80 to its locked position as illustrated in FIG. 5. Such movement causes downward movement of arm 74 which in turn moves teeth 38 on head 34 downwardly into engagement with teeth 20 on support plates 18. In order to hold locking lever 70 in its locked position, the lever is provided adjacent one end with a cam surface preferably in the form of a roller 82 adapted to engage the hardened cam follower surface 28 on jaw plate 22. The outward movement of cam follower 28 by cam roller 82 causes jaw 26 to exert a clamping force on an article 84 interposed between the jaws. The amount of clamping force is dependent upon the flexibility of jaw plate 22 and the contour of the cam follower surface 28. In addition, the axis of roller 82 is slightly below the level of the axis of pivot pin 72 in the locked position of device 14 so that the clamping force holds locking lever 70 in its locked position. This is facilitated by having the axis of the cylindrical portion 76 of arm 74 move a degree or two past its 6 oclock position as seen in FIG. 5. The locking lever is further provided with a recess 86 adapted to its unlocked position as seen in FIG. 4 to capture the cam follower end of jaw plate 22 to limit pivotal movement of the jaw plate when the jaw members 16, 30 are in their normal unlatched positions. In addition, a detent is provided comprising a spring biased ball 88 received by a peripheral notch 90 in locking lever 70 for releasably holding locking lever 70 in its unlocked position as seen in FIG. 4. If it is desired to move locking lever 70 from its locked position (FIG. 5) to its unlocked position (FIG. 4) by something other than handle 80, a release lever 92 is provided having a cylindrical portion 94 at one end journaled for pivotal movement within cylindrical portion 76 of arm 74 and its opposite end extending below the end of handle 70. By grabbing arm 92 and moving it in a clockwise direction, the upper end surface of arm 92 in engagement with handle 80 forces locking lever 70 into its unlocked position.

In the operation of clamping device 14, spring 62 biases locking lever 70 to its unlocked position in which jaw members 16, 30 are moved apart longigudinally placing teeth 20, 38 in an unlatched position as best seen in FIG. 4. Depending upon the strength of leaf spring 52, jaw member 32 will normally be moved outwardly until lug 58 engages pin 60. If it is desired to clamp an article 84 such as illustrated in FIG. 5, the article is interposed between jaws 26, 44 and jaw members 16, 30 moved toward one another by the palm of the operators hand to an article holding position in which jaws 26, 44 engage opposite sides of the article. The operator then squeezes his hand causing his fingers which are wrapped around handle 80 to move locking lever 70 to its locked position as illustrated in FIG. 5. During the initial approximately 30 of rotation (angle a, FIG. 8) of locking lever 70, the teeth 20, 38 on support plates 18 and head 34 respectively are moved into latching engagement for locking the jaw members 16, 30 together. During the last approximately 30 of movement (angle 0, FIG. 8) of locking lever 70, cam roller 82 cams jaw plate 22 in a clockwise direction causing jaws 26, 44 to exert a clamping pressure on the article therebetween. In addition, locking lever 70 is moved to its over center or locked position.

In a modification of the invention illustrated in FIG. 6, the jaw 42' of jaw member 30' is made integral with head 34' rather than being pivotally mounted. In addition, jaw plate 26 may be hardened so as to be rigid or unflexible, and a spring 96 interposed behind jaw 26 to absorb any pressure in excess of a predetermined amount.

In a modification of the means for biasing the jaw members 16, 30 to their unlatched position illustrated in FIG. 7, a leaf spring 98 is provided having one end secured to support plates 18 and the opposite end engaging a lug 100 on locking lever 70. A leaf spring detent 102 is provided engageable with a peripheral recess 104 in locking lever 70 for releasably holding the locking lever in its unlocked position.

In an embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, different configurations of jaw members 26, 44 for engaging opposite sides of an article 106 are illustrated. It is obvious that the jaws are capable of being designed for any particular holding or clamping operation. In FIG. 9 the article 106 comprises a pair of plates being held together whereas in FIG. 10

In an embodiment of the invention illustrated in 10 FIGS. 11 and 12, jaw plate 22 is formed integrally with support plates 18, thereby eliminating cam follower 28 and pivot pin 24. In addition, cam 82 on locking lever 70 is eliminated, and side plates 32 support a guide bar 112 extending through a passageway between jaw 15 plates 22. In this modification, jaws 26, 44 are smooth and merely hold the article therebetween and do not exert a clamping force thereon.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention as described hereinabove.

I claim: I

1. In a device for holding an article, the combination comprising:

first means having a portion engageable with one side of an article;

second means having a portion engageable with the opposite side of said article, said first and second means being movable relative to one another into an article holding position in which said article is held between said article engaging portions of said first and second means;

one of said first and second means having first latching means;

the other of said first and second means having second latching means;

means for normally biasing said first and second latching means out of latching engagement to permit relative movement of said article engaging portions of said first and second means to said article holding position; and

means for moving said first and second means against 45 said biasing means causing said first and second latching means to be moved into latching engagement for releasably latching said article engaging portions of said first and second means in said article holding position.

2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said first latching means comprises a first toothed member, and said second latching means comprises a second toothed member.

3. The invention according to claim 2 wherein said first toothed member has a first arcuate surface having teeth thereon, and said second toothed member has a second arcuate surface of substantially the same curvature as said first arcuate surface, and further having teeth thereon.

4. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said first means comprises a first plate having said first latching means, said second means comprises a second plate having said second latching means, and said biasing means comprises resilient means for urging said first and second plates in a direction to separate said first and second latching means.

5. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said first means comprises a first plate having said first latching means, said second means comprises a second plate having said second latching means, said moving means comprises a locking lever pivotally mounted on a first pin on one of said first and second plates and movable between a locked position in which said first and second latching means are in latching engagement and an unlocked position in which said first and second latching means are separated, an arm having one end pivotally mounted on said lever and the other end pivotally mounted on a second pin on said other of said first and second plates, and said biasing means comprises a spring for urging said lever to its unlocked position.

6. The invention according to claim I and further comprising means for urging said article engaging portion of one of said first and second means toward the article engaging portion of the other of said first and second means for clamping the article therebetween.

7. The invention according to claim 6 wherein said urging means comprises cam means.

8. The invention according to claim 5 wherein said article engaging portion of one of said first and second means comprises a jaw plate pivotally mounted on one of said first and second plates, said invention further comprising cam means on said locking lever engageable with said jaw plate for urging said article engaging portion thereof toward the other article engaging portion for clamping the article therebetween upon movement of said lever to its locked position.

9. The invention according to claim 8 wherein said jaw plate is flexible and has said article engaging portion at one end thereof, and a cam follower at the opposite end thereof.

10. The invention according to claim 9 wherein said locking lever has a notch for receiving a projection on said opposite end of said jaw plate when said lever is moved to its unlocked position for preventing pivotal movement of said jaw plate.

11. The invention according to claim 5 wherein in said unlocked position of said lever said one end of said arm is on one side of a plane passing through the axes of said first and second pins, and in said locked position of said lever is on the opposite side of said plane.

12. In a device for holding or turning an article, the combination comprising:

a first longitudinally extending; plate having a first latching means at one end thereof;

a flexible jaw plate pivotally mounted adjacent said one end of said first plate and having a first jaw at one end of said jaw plate engageable with one side of an article and a cam follower at the opposite end of said jaw plate;

a second longitudinally extending plate having a second pin at one end pivotally mounted within a slot at said opposite end of said first plate for pivotal and longitudinal movement and further having a second jaw at its opposite end opposed to and in alignment with said first jaw and engageable with the opposite side of said article, and a second latching means at its opposite end opposed to and in alignment with said first latching means;

means for biasing said first and second plates for relative longitudinal movement away from one another for holding said first and second latching means out of latching engagement to permit relative pivotal movement of said first and second plates for moving said first and second jaws toward one another to an article holding position; and

means for moving said first and second plates toward one another and against said biasing means for moving said first and second latching means into latching engagement for releasably holding said first and second jaws in said article holding position.

13. The invention according to claim 12 wherein said first latching means comprises a first toothed member, and said second latching means comprises a second toothed member.

14. The invention according to claim 13 wherein said first toothed member has a first arcuate surface having teeth thereon, and said second toothed member has a second arcuate surface of substantially the same curvature as said first arcuate surface, and further having teeth thereon.

15. The invention according to claim 12 wherein said moving means comprises a locking lever pivotally mounted on a first pin on said first plate and movable between a locked position in which said first and sec- 0nd latching means are in latching engagement and an unlocked position in which said first and second latching means are separated, an arm having one end pivotally mounted on said lever and its opposite end pivotally mounted on said second pin, and said biasing means comprises a spring for urging said lever to its unlocked position.

16. The invention according to claim 15 wherein said lever has cam means adapted when said lever is moved to its locked position to urge said cam follower and said first jaw toward said second jaw for clamping the article at said article holding position.

17. The invention according to claim 16 wherein said cam follower comprises a projection, and said lever has a notch for receiving said projection when said lever is moved to its unlocked position for preventing pivotal movement of said jaw plate.

18. The invention according to claim 16 wherein in said unlocked position of said lever said one end of said arm is one side of a plane passing through the axes of said first and second pins, and in said locked position of said lever is on the opposite side of said plane. 

1. In a device for holding an article, the combination comprising: first means having a Portion engageable with one side of an article; second means having a portion engageable with the opposite side of said article, said first and second means being movable relative to one another into an article holding position in which said article is held between said article engaging portions of said first and second means; one of said first and second means having first latching means; the other of said first and second means having second latching means; means for normally biasing said first and second latching means out of latching engagement to permit relative movement of said article engaging portions of said first and second means to said article holding position; and means for moving said first and second means against said biasing means causing said first and second latching means to be moved into latching engagement for releasably latching said article engaging portions of said first and second means in said article holding position.
 2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said first latching means comprises a first toothed member, and said second latching means comprises a second toothed member.
 3. The invention according to claim 2 wherein said first toothed member has a first arcuate surface having teeth thereon, and said second toothed member has a second arcuate surface of substantially the same curvature as said first arcuate surface, and further having teeth thereon.
 4. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said first means comprises a first plate having said first latching means, said second means comprises a second plate having said second latching means, and said biasing means comprises resilient means for urging said first and second plates in a direction to separate said first and second latching means.
 5. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said first means comprises a first plate having said first latching means, said second means comprises a second plate having said second latching means, said moving means comprises a locking lever pivotally mounted on a first pin on one of said first and second plates and movable between a locked position in which said first and second latching means are in latching engagement and an unlocked position in which said first and second latching means are separated, an arm having one end pivotally mounted on said lever and the other end pivotally mounted on a second pin on said other of said first and second plates, and said biasing means comprises a spring for urging said lever to its unlocked position.
 6. The invention according to claim 1 and further comprising means for urging said article engaging portion of one of said first and second means toward the article engaging portion of the other of said first and second means for clamping the article therebetween.
 7. The invention according to claim 6 wherein said urging means comprises cam means.
 8. The invention according to claim 5 wherein said article engaging portion of one of said first and second means comprises a jaw plate pivotally mounted on one of said first and second plates, said invention further comprising cam means on said locking lever engageable with said jaw plate for urging said article engaging portion thereof toward the other article engaging portion for clamping the article therebetween upon movement of said lever to its locked position.
 9. The invention according to claim 8 wherein said jaw plate is flexible and has said article engaging portion at one end thereof, and a cam follower at the opposite end thereof.
 10. The invention according to claim 9 wherein said locking lever has a notch for receiving a projection on said opposite end of said jaw plate when said lever is moved to its unlocked position for preventing pivotal movement of said jaw plate.
 11. The invention according to claim 5 wherein in said unlocked position of said lever said one end of said arm is on one side of a plane passing through the axes of said first and second pins, and in said locked position of said leVer is on the opposite side of said plane.
 12. In a device for holding or turning an article, the combination comprising: a first longitudinally extending plate having a first latching means at one end thereof; a flexible jaw plate pivotally mounted adjacent said one end of said first plate and having a first jaw at one end of said jaw plate engageable with one side of an article and a cam follower at the opposite end of said jaw plate; a second longitudinally extending plate having a second pin at one end pivotally mounted within a slot at said opposite end of said first plate for pivotal and longitudinal movement and further having a second jaw at its opposite end opposed to and in alignment with said first jaw and engageable with the opposite side of said article, and a second latching means at its opposite end opposed to and in alignment with said first latching means; means for biasing said first and second plates for relative longitudinal movement away from one another for holding said first and second latching means out of latching engagement to permit relative pivotal movement of said first and second plates for moving said first and second jaws toward one another to an article holding position; and means for moving said first and second plates toward one another and against said biasing means for moving said first and second latching means into latching engagement for releasably holding said first and second jaws in said article holding position.
 13. The invention according to claim 12 wherein said first latching means comprises a first toothed member, and said second latching means comprises a second toothed member.
 14. The invention according to claim 13 wherein said first toothed member has a first arcuate surface having teeth thereon, and said second toothed member has a second arcuate surface of substantially the same curvature as said first arcuate surface, and further having teeth thereon.
 15. The invention according to claim 12 wherein said moving means comprises a locking lever pivotally mounted on a first pin on said first plate and movable between a locked position in which said first and second latching means are in latching engagement and an unlocked position in which said first and second latching means are separated, an arm having one end pivotally mounted on said lever and its opposite end pivotally mounted on said second pin, and said biasing means comprises a spring for urging said lever to its unlocked position.
 16. The invention according to claim 15 wherein said lever has cam means adapted when said lever is moved to its locked position to urge said cam follower and said first jaw toward said second jaw for clamping the article at said article holding position.
 17. The invention according to claim 16 wherein said cam follower comprises a projection, and said lever has a notch for receiving said projection when said lever is moved to its unlocked position for preventing pivotal movement of said jaw plate.
 18. The invention according to claim 16 wherein in said unlocked position of said lever said one end of said arm is one side of a plane passing through the axes of said first and second pins, and in said locked position of said lever is on the opposite side of said plane. 